The Courting Of Arianna Hightopp

Chapter One: The Beginning.

Author's Note: This story takes place ten years after "Best Laid Plans."

"Steady, son. You're swinging your sword a bit too quickly. Remember, slow and steady. Never let your opponent get under your skin." Stayne blocked the swing from Michael's sword almost effortlessly, and Michael sighed, taking a deep breath.

"I'm trying, Dad! But I've got so much on my mind right now."

Stayne smiled. "You do seem a bit distracted. Well, tell you what. Why don't we take a bit of a break and you can tell your old dad what's troubling you."

Michael nodded in relief and sheathed his sword, then walked over to a nearby bench and sat, stretching out his long legs and shutting his eyes in thought. Stayne stood where he was for a few moments, smiling to himself at the sight of how grown up his son looked. He had turned eighteen a few days ago, and already he was starting to turn the heads of the young ladies of the court.

Michael was tall, like his mother and father, and his hair, which had been a brownish red in his youth, was now the color of burnished copper. He was well muscled from hard work, and was looking forward to joining the White Army. Stayne had informed him that he was not going to get any favoritism or special treatment for being his son, and Michael had simply grinned and said, "I wasn't expecting any."

Stayne walked over to the bench and sat next to Michael, nudging his arm. "So, what's troubling you?"

"When did you know you were in love with Mum? I know you became infatuated with her at the Masquerade, but when did you really know?"

Stayne smiled. "I knew when I was lying in her arms after she saved me from Exile. You have to understand, up until that point; I hadn't ever experienced simple kindness. Your mum proved to me that there were still people in this world that cared, and I loved her for it. I will always love her for that."

Michael smiled. "Something as simple as that?" Stayne nodded, and he chuckled quietly. "I always thought it would be more elaborate. Bells ringing, that sort of thing."

Stayne laughed. "Oh, there's bells, and hearts pounding, heads spinning, but most of it is rather quiet. Just out of curiosity, why did you ask me?"

Michael blushed. "Oh, n…no reason. Just wondering, that's all."

Stayne raised his eye at him. "Really? This line of questioning just came out of the blue? I don't suppose it has anything to do with the daughter of a certain Hatter?"

Michael's blush grew deeper and Stayne chuckled. "I thought so. Michael, everyone in Underland knows your feelings for Arianna. You and she have been thick as thieves from infancy. She cares quite deeply for you, and I know you feel the same about her. If you're worried about Tarrant not giving his blessing, don't worry. He'd give it in a heartbeat."

Michael sighed in frustration. "I know, but Lord Duncan has been attempting to court her."

Stayne blinked. "The stuck up son of Lord and Lady Morningside?" Michael nodded angrily and Stayne shook his head in disbelief. "Is she accepting the advances?"

Michael shook his head. "No, but Lord Duncan will not stop. I don't know what to do, Dad. I can't stand the thought of my Arianna with someone else, and both Aunt Alice and Uncle Tarrant can't stand him. But since he's a Lord, he thinks he can get away with anything."

Stayne smiled at Michael's claim on Arianna. "You're a Lord as well, Michael, and Arianna is a Lady. You just don't put as much stock in it as the Morningsides do. Besides, I doubt the Mad Hatter would allow just anyone to marry his pride and joy."

Michael grinned and was about to answer when a loud shout broke the silence.

"YOU ARE A DESPICABLE CAD AND A BOUNDER, AND IF YOU EVER SPEAK ILL OF MY BEST FRIEND AGAIN I WILL HAVE MY FATHER SUPERGLUE THE UGLIEST HAT IN HIS SHOP TO YOUR HEAD!"

Arianna Hightopp came storming up the walk, fists clenched and eyes blazing in anger. She sat next to Michael, huffing in frustration. Michael grinned at her. "Something troubling you, Arianna?" She glared at him, and Michael smirked.

Arianna had grown from a cute if slightly odd looking girl into a very beautiful young woman. Her hair was still as bright orange as ever, but it fell in soft curls around her pale face. She was well proportioned, and her body was slim. Her eyes were a deep hazel. Her clothing was modest-a dark green dress, and in her hair she wore a light purple ribbon. Like her mother, she scorned the wearing of corsets. Michael, who had seen her grow from a chubby babe to the tall, beautiful young woman before him, was constantly fascinated by her.

"Lord Duncan is a despicable cad, a bounder, and a slurvish, slurking urpal slackush scrum! He actually had the nerve to say that you were not worthy of any well bred maid's attentions. As if he is any better, the pompous, stuffed up, dry old stick! He reminds me of Mum's old suitor, Hamish Ascot. Plus he's a despicable liar! And he thinks I don't know of his reputation, but I do."

Stayne looked over at her. "What sort of reputation, Arianna?"

Arianna smiled grimly. "He is notorious among the ladies of the court for being a bit of a Casanova. He supposedly knows just what to do and say to make women putty in his hands, and once he gets what he wants from them, he casts them aside like broken dolls." She grinned. "I'm one of the only two young women in Court able to see through his deception to the beast he truly is."

Stayne chuckled. "Good for you, but who is the other?"

Michael and Arianna chuckled, answering in the same breath. "Katarina."

Stayne laughed. "Right, I should have known. She inherited that from her Mum. Alannah was never fooled by appearances either." He looked over at Arianna, concern on his face. "I just hope Lord Duncan doesn't turn out to be like Maxwell was."

Arianna smiled. "No chance of that. He's a coward, Uncle Ilosovic. I detest cowards."

Michael giggled. "So, Arianna, does this mean that you won't be allowing Lord Duncan to court you?"

Arianna nodded, and Michael took a breath, gathering his courage. "Well, would you permit me to?"

Arianna gaped at him, then grinned widely and kissed him. "Michael Stayne, I thought you would never ask! You have my thorough permission!"

Michael beamed in joy and kissed her, sighing happily, and Stayne chuckled. "Just for appearance's sake, ask Tarrant for permission."

Michael nodded, and kept kissing Arianna. Stayne smiled. He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Victoria heading towards them.

"Dad! Michael! Supper's on the…" Victoria trailed off when she saw Michael and Arianna locked in an embrace. She blinked, and then squealed in delight. "YES! YES! I knew it! I knew it!"

Michael reluctantly broke the kiss to glare in mock anger at his sister. "Knew what, Vicki?"

Victoria grinned at her brother. "I knew you loved her. When are you getting married? Can I be in the wedding? Are you going to have lots of kids? Does Uncle Tarrant know? Does Mum? Mum's going to be so thrilled! Aunt Alice will be too! Are you going to tell them? Are you going to tell Josiah? He'll be happy too, won't he?"

"Victoria! Calm down, darling." Stayne smiled at his youngest. "I don't think Michael and Arianna have thought that far ahead yet. Give them time, alright?"

"Alright. Mum says to come to supper."

Michael nodded. "Vicki, tell Mum I'll be a bit late. There's something I need to ask Uncle Tarrant."

"Alright."

Twenty minutes later, Michael walked into the cottage, a goofy smile on his face. Alannah watched in amusement as he got his supper and sat down. "So, how did the business with Tarrant go?"

Michael sighed happily, digging into his chicken. "Wonderfully, Mum."

Alannah smiled. "That's marvelous, Michael."

Michael smiled to himself as he remembered the reactions of Alice and Tarrant…

Michael gulped nervously as he knocked on the door to the Hat Shop and Arianna smiled, kissing him softly on the cheek. "Don't worry, Michael. Dad will be thrilled when you ask him."

"I hope so."

"He will, I promise."

The door opened, and Tarrant beamed at the two of them. "Michael! So good to see you, my lad!"

Michael gulped. "Uncle Tarrant, I have something of great import to ask you and Aunt Alice. Is she here?"

"I'm here, Michael!" Alice called from the back of the shop and Tarrant grinned.

"Well, you had best come in so you can ask us this important question."

Arianna hugged him. "Good luck, Michael."

Once Arianna had left, Tarrant turned to Michael. "What was it you wanted to ask?"

Michael took a deep breath. "May I have your permission to court Arianna?"

Alice and Tarrant stared at him for a few seconds before breaking into identical huge grins. Tarrant laughed in elation. "You have not only our permission, but our thorough blessing! It's about time you asked us!"

Alice pulled him into a hug. "Court to your hearts' content, Michael."

Michael hugged her back. "Thank you, both of you."

And so the courting of Arianna Hightopp by Michael Stayne began.